By Chris O'Brien
October 12 2005

Michael Ballack has once again been linked with a move to Manchester United. The German midfielder's Bayern Munich contract expires at the end of the season, and the midfielder is thought to be stalling on a new deal. The press are once again linking Michael Ballack with a high-profile move to Old Trafford. It has been rumoured for sometime that the midfielder, so influential during his time in Munich, is ready for a fresh challenge and favours a move to the Premiership in the near future.

Ballack’s contract ends at the end of the season and the player is stalling on signing a new contract that would make him the highest-paid player in the club’s history. This could cause the Bundesliga outfit to offload the 29-year-old at a cut price through fears of losing his services on a free transfer.

Sir Alex Ferguson is a known-admirer of Ballack and could be set to launch a January bid when the transfer window re-opens.

With Roy Keane predicting the end of his MUFC career, United are looking for a replacement in midfield. Though Alan Smith is being given opportunities, the former Leeds United star looks uncomfortable in the unfamiliar role and is weak with defensive-minded duties.

Ballack, with several years of top European football ahead of him, could prove the answer to Ferguson’s headache.